Shade-raiser.



S. W. JOHNSTON.

SHADE RAISER APPLICATION FILED Aue.29. I916.

Witnesses Attorneys SAMUEL JOHNSTON, 0F CHADBQURN, NORTH CAROLINA.

SHADE-KAISER.

Application filed August 29, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL \V. JOHNS- TON, citizen of the United States, residing at Ghadbourn, in the county of Columbus and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Shade-Raiser, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for raising and lowering a shade through the instrumentality of a roller which is not spring actuated.

The invention aims to provide novel means for controlling, intermediate its ends, the flexible element whereby rotatory movement is imparted. to the shade roller.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that \changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in front elevation, a portion of a window frame to which the device forming the subject matter of this application has been attached;

Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the means whereby the flexible element is controlled, the spool being shown in section; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the device depicted in Fig. 2.

In the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a portion of a window frame comprising stiles 2 and a lintel 3. Brackets 4 are mounted on the lintel 3 and receive for rotation, the trunnions 5 of a roller 6 on which is wound a curtain 7. Secured to the roller 6 adjacent its extremities are end plates 8. One end 9 of the roller 6 projects sufficiently beyond the corresponding edge 28 of the curtain 7, to form a drum.

A base plate 10 is mounted on one of the stiles 2 below the roller 6 and is held in place by securing elements 11 and 12, passing through the base plate and engaging the said stile. The securing element 12 constitutes a pivotal mounting for a pawl 14:, the

rearward movement of which is limited by a stop 15 on the base plate 10. In the under face of the base plate 10 there is formed a recess 16 adapted to receive the head 17 of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1nd, 191'2.

Serial No. 117,496.

a bolt 18 passing through the base plate, there being a nut 19 threaded onto the exposed end of the bolt 18. The bolt 18 serves as a shaft on which is journalerl a spool 20 having a concaved tread 21 and provided at its periphery and upon its inner end with a ratchet wheel. 22 adapted to be engaged by the pawl 14. l\.[ounted on the stile 2 between the base plate 10 and the roller 6 is a guide 23 which may be a screw eye. The muneral 24L designates a flexible element which wrapped as shown at around the tread 21 of the spool. The tlexible element 24-. passes upwardly through the guide or eye 2 and is wound at 26 around the end 9 of the rollcrll and secured thereto. Adjacent its lower end. the flexible element 24 is equipped with an enlargement 27 which may be a knot.

In practical operation, the flexible element 24: may be pulled downwardly to rotate the roller 6 and to elevate the curtain 7. Under such circumstances, the spool 20 rotates on its shaft'18, the pawl 14 clicking over the ratchet wheel 22. When the flexible element 24 is permitted to come to rest, the curtain 7 will. remain in the position to which it has been elevated. Under such riroumstances, the weight of the curtain 7 tightens up the flexible element 24 and causes the convolutions 25 thereof to grip the spool 20 with a frictional hold, a reverse rotation of the spool being prevented, because the pawl 24, which acts gravitationally, is engaged with the ratchet wheel 22. The curtain 7 may be drawn downwardly when a forcible pull is exerted thereon. Under such circumstances, the spool 20 is not turned, but is held against rotation, by coaction be tween the pawl 14 and the ratchet wheel 22, the flexible element 24: moving friction ally around the tread 21 of the spool 20.

There is a distinct advantage in having the spool 20 rotate when the flexible element 24: is pulled upon, and when the curtain 7 is raised. When the spool does not rotate, a stronger pull on the flexible element 24 is necessary, in order to raise the curtain. As a consequence, the flexible element 24: is worn by frictional contact with the fixed element aforesaid and, since a stronger pull is necessary, the fixed element, corresponding to the spool 20, not infrequently is pulled loose and detached from the window frame.

It is to be observed that one edge 28 of the curtain ordinarily slides in contact with frame; a roller journaled one edge 29 of the base plate 10. As a consequence, the curtain is prevented from riding over to the left onto the portion 9 of the roller, and interfering with the wrapping of the flexible element 24- around the part 9 of the roller as indicated at 26. The eye or guide 23 is spaced sufliciently from the edge 28 of the curtain 7, so that the flexible element 24 does not become entangled with or engage the curtain 7. lVhen the curtain 7 is pulled downwardly as far as it will go, the enlargement 27 engages the eye 23 and does not pass therethrough. Consequently, the upper end of the curtain 7 cannot be pulled accidentally oil the roller 6.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed'is:

1. In a device of the class described, a frame; a roller journaled on the frame; a curtain wound about the roller; a spool journaled for free rotation in opposite directions on the frame below the roller; a flexible element having its intermediate portion wrapped around the spool, and having its upper end wound around the roller, the lower end of the flexible element depending below the spool for manipulation by an operator; and means for limiting the rotation of the spool due to the weight of that portion of the curtain which hangs below the roller.

2. In a device of the class described, a

on the frame; a curtain wound about the roller; a spool journaled for free rotation in opposite directions on the frame and located below the roller, the spool including a ratchet wheel; a flexible element having its intermediate portion wrapped around the spool and having its upper end wound around the roller,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

the lower end of the flexible element depending below the spool for manipulation by an operator; and a pawl pivotally supported on the frame and coacting with the ratchet wheel, the pawl and the ratchet wheel cooperating to prevent the rotation of the spool due to the weight of that portion of the curtain which hangs below the roller.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame; a roller journaled 011 the frame; a curtain wound about the roller; a spool journaled for free rotation in opposite directions on'the frame and located below the roller, the spool including a ratchet wheel; a flexible element having its intermediate portion wrapped around the spool, and having its upper end wound around the roller, the lower end of the flexible element depending below the spool for manipulation by an operator; a pawl pivotally supported on the frame and coacting with the ratchet wheel to prevent the rotation of the spool due to the weight of that portion of the curtain which hangs below the roller; and a guide disposed on the frame between the spool and the roller, the flexible element passing through the guide, and the flexible element being provided with a projection adapted to engage the guide to limit the downward movement of the shade, thereby to prevent the upper end of the shade from being detached from the roller.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two'witnesses.

SAMUEL WV. JOHNSTON.

VVitne-sses:

IVY E. SIMPSON, PHILOMENA A. RQGKELLI.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

